USC defensive lineman Kenny Bigelow out for season with knee injury

A member of USC’s defense who was expected to compete for a starting role went down with a serious injury on Tuesday.

The University confirmed that redshirt freshman Kenny Bigelow, a defensive tackle, tore the ACL in his right knee during a voluntary player workout. He will miss the entire 2014 season.

The Trojans hoped the 6-foot-3, 300-pound Bigelow, who redshirted in 2013, would fill the void left when George Uko decided to forgo his senior season for the NFL. Bigelow was the highest rated (No. 6 in the nation) of the five five-star recruits who committed to former head coach Lane Kiffin in the 2013 class.

A native of Elkton, Md., Bigelow was also rated as the top defensive tackle in the country and the No. 1 player from Maryland by Rivals.com.

The Trojans’ defensive line returns two starters in first-team All-Pac 12 performer Leonard Williams and Antwaun Woods. The team’s official blog says that Texas Tech transfer Delvon Simmons and junior college transfer Claude Pelon are in the mix to start for new head coach Steve Sarkisian with Bigelow sidelined.

For more USC news, visit USCFootball.com.

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